Is cork flooring right for you?
It’s also an eco-friendly choice.
However, it isn’t as durable as otherflooring materialsand can be damaged easily.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
What Is Cork Flooring?
Professional installation is relatively economical, adding about$2 to $4 per square footfor a floating floor.
The higher the value, the heavier the advisable use.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Flooring with a higher wear rating will usually cost more.
Cork Flooring Maintenance
When installed correctly, cork flooring is relatively low-maintenance.
It requires only regular sweeping or vacuuming to remove small grit and dirt particles anddamp moppingoccasionally.
The Spruce
However, wipe up spills immediately to prevent staining.
The most difficult part of maintaining cork flooring is occasionally resealing it.
However, sealers are imperfect; cork flooring can warp and discolor if a room floods.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Cork flooring is repaired during the refinishing process.
However, refinishing is impossible on engineered cork flooring, as the surface cork layer is too thin.
Find and compare quotes from top-rated professionals near you.
Today’s cork flooring can be used almost anywhere, provided it is sealed well.
Cork Flooring Installation
Installing cork flooring is a relatively easy DIY project.
An easy floating floor installation is generally installed over a thin foam underlayment pad.
If the cork flooring is not prefinished, it must be coated with several layers of sealer once installed.
Here are some of the major suppliers of cork flooring:
Is Cork Flooring Right for You?
Cork will show its age over time, and it is a soft material that dimples under pressure.
You should install a vapor barrier if you install cork flooring over concrete.
Plastic sheeting is sufficient as an effective vapor barrier.
A vapor barrier is unnecessary when installing cork flooring over plywood or areas unaffected by moisture.
Gil, LuAs.Cork: A Strategic Material.Frontiers in Chemistry, vol.
2, 2014. doi:10.3389/fchem.2014.00016.
InEncyclopedia of Life Sciences.
John Wiley & Sons.
